Colo. lawmaker testifies on threatening messages

A Denver magistrate hasn't decided yet whether to grant a state legislator a permanent protection order against a man accused of sending her threatening messages.

State Rep. Rhonda Fields' temporary protection order against Franklin Sain of Colorado Springs expires July 1. The Denver Post reports that at a court hearing Friday, Fields said she fears Sain would continue sending messages to her if the court order expires. The hearing will continue June 14, after which the magistrate could extend the order.

Sain is charged with harassment involving ethnic intimidation and attempting to influence a public servant over messages the Aurora Democrat received as she worked to tighten state gun laws. Sain's attorney disputes that Sain sent all the messages and has said the messages qualify as protected political speech.

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